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Key Points
- Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping were overheard discussing biotechnology, organ transplants and longevity.
- It took places as leaders attended a parade in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of World War Two’s end.
- The Russian and Chinese leaders signed 20 agreements on energy, AI and gas pipeline expansion.
The moment was carried on the livestream provided by state broadcaster CCTV to other media, including agencies AP and Reuters. China’s radio and TV administration said CCTV’s coverage of the event was viewed 1.9 billion times online and by more than 400 million on television.
Kim was smiling and looking in the direction of Putin and Xi, but it was not clear if the conversation was being translated for him. Putin cannot be heard speaking clearly in Russian in the CCTV clip.
Chinese President Xi Jinping warned the world is facing a choice between “peace or war” as he held his country’s largest-ever military parade in Beijing. Source: Getty / Liu Weibing
Putin confirmed later that he and Xi had discussed the subject.
As Xi started speaking, the video cut to a wide shot of Tiananmen Square and the audio faded.
